I've got a new project that you can check out on my photos. 1984 VF 500 C Honda Magna. It's a V4, dual overhead cams, water cooled. Buddy gave it to me
a long while back but it was 150 miles away at his dad's farm sitting in the pasture and I haven't had the help to get it home. My son has moved in
with me from Colorado so Monday seemed like a good day for that project and it was a project! I missed the turn by at least 15 miles so I had to back track
finally got to the farm and my buddies dad led us out to where it was. We were right on top of it before we saw it! Sitting next to a fence, under a big oak,
pulled up there and parked. I didn't bring my trailer cause I figured it would be easier to get out and loaded into the truck easier. I did bring my big
steel ramp, 100' of chain about that much rope and a come-along. I knew I was gonna get it out even if I had to drag it across the field. Of course it was
pointed the wrong direction to where I could get the truck back to it and then again of course it was frozen in place. Nothing that we could do would free that
rear wheel (found out later the shoes were frozen to the drum) I little sweating, grunting and groaning and we got it horsed around and pointed towards the
truck, then the come-along did the rest. Got it back to the shop and pulled the rear wheel and after lots of heat, oil and pressure got it off the bike, took
another couple of hours to get the hub off to free the shoes, got them cleaned enough to roll and put it back on so that we could get the bike out of the
truck. This is an odd beast for sure. It looks like it has a big gas tank but it is deeply carved on the bottom so that the massive air box has room, so to
haul more fuel it has another tank below the seat and uses a fuel pump to pump it to the carbs and even then it only holds a little over 3 1/2 gallons, next to
the extra tank is the coolant over flow tank. lots of tubes and pipes on this bike for sure. The only manual that I've been able to find so far is a
Clymers that should be here in the next couple of days. The front frame sections hold the coolant water too? Took a good deal of prying, soaking and ratcheting
to get the carbs off (and you think a DOHC is tough! try a set of these) The valves looked pretty good looking into the intakes except for the one on the right
front (don't know how the cylinders are numbered yet) looked like some water had gotten in there but with some rust buster, a small screw driver and a shop
vac 99% of it just came right off, more like just crud than rust, I was glad to see that. The extra fuel tank is toast as is the coolant over flow tank. Once
we get the tank open, of course no key, then we are gonna measure what the capacity of the tank is, if it is at least a couple of gallons then we are gonna
shit can the extra tank and just stop for gas more, not so sure about the coolant tank, may just do the same with it and like the old cars when she boils over
ya gotta find more water! Rough calculations tell me that we can lower the rear 2" with some shorter shocks and since the seat is shot we may go ahead and
cut the rear of it off and make it a solo. He wants the tail off anyway with a curved fender. I got the front brake calipers apart, cleaned and back together
today, weren't too bad, gotta find some new lines, ones that are there may not take much abuse. Rotor looks good, but fork seals are gonna be a must, they
are air assisted and I've located some progressive springs that I may go ahead and get since they say that they were kinda soft on the front new, that and
15w fork oil should help. It's raked at 31.5 degrees as she sits so a two inch drop on the rear should give it a nice stance. My son is tall so I'm
checking out locations to build and mount forwards, looks like a couple of mounts up front may be the ticket. The pipes are a little rusty on the inside but I
think that they will clean up good enough. I've already found out that you can sweeten the note by removing the baffle plate cutting the tube off the
inside then reinstalling the plate, same restriction, and baffeling just a better sound. Probably gonna junk all the gauges but the tach on the bars, install
an oil pressure gauge on the side and replace the water temp gauge with an idiot light. Just like the DOHC parts are few and far between so gonna have to make
do with what we can salvage or find. Kinda funny, the bike has been parked since 1995 we aired up the tires and not a crack in them! But I don't trust em
anyway. I'll tear into the carbs as soon as my book gets here so at least I'll have some idea as to where I'm going. I understand that they had an
oiling problem to the cams and there is supposed to be a modification that you can make to improve that but I haven't found good instructions on that yet.
0 Kudo
New project
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 mstspot |
New project |
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Posts: 1672 05/27/09 10:27 PM |
You meet the nicest people on a Honda
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swiffer.hondachopper |
#1 | |||
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Posts: 956 05/28/09 07:11 AM |
I wish i could get my sons to come over and help with my 79.I would give it to them when we were done but they are busy with new babies.I am guessing you are
talking about the GREEN HORNET.Why dont you try a hardtail and put springs in the seat.Keep us up on the build.
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freebyrd78 |
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Posts: 489 05/28/09 08:22 AM |
Frank,
The Magnas shared a lot of the same parts with the Shadows, and The guys at hondashadow.net have helped guys with Magnas before. That may be a good source of some info. Treat that electric fuel pump with kid gloves. They are pricey and almost impossible to find used. freebyrd |
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mstspot |
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Posts: 1672 05/28/09 08:55 AM |
I've been trying to build up some interchange numbers as I run across them and I've noticed that some shadow parts interchange. We have been taking our
time taking EVERY part off, like I told my son, even if we don't use it these parts are so hard to find that we can make some decent bucks flea baying them
so we got money for other parts. I'm wondering if I can do away with that fuel pump and just use a gravity feed off the tank since the outlet will be
higher than the carbs and our plan is not to use the aux. tank that sits behind the motor. I've only found one site so far that they even talk about these
bikes and they don't seem to be to cool about choppin.
David: He doesn't want it hard tailed. Since we are right into summer we want to just get it running and cool it up some so he can get some ride time in. I have to be careful what I do to the front part of the frame since it is part of the coolant system. Since the aux fuel tank, the coolant overflow tank, the battery and most of the electronics all sit under the seat even trying to Kong the frame would be a major rebuild. It's already like taking something out of it's original packaging, not sure I could ever get it back in the way it came out. :)
You meet the nicest people on a Honda
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freebyrd78 |
#4 | |||
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Posts: 489 05/28/09 03:22 PM |
You can't not use the electric fuel pump....well, you can but it's a huge pain in the ass. One of the guys went thru hell trying to do it on a shadow a
few years back. They don't tend to go out, but since this things been sitting for a while, I'd make sure to clean it out before feeding any electricity
to it.
freebyrd |
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swiffer.hondachopper |
#5 | |||
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Posts: 956 05/28/09 05:19 PM |
Oh yea , If these guys can do it you can to .2010 Honda Fury Review -
Motorcycle.com
Sorry just came to mind when you talked about the coolant system 
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mstspot |
#6 | |||
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Posts: 1672 05/28/09 06:33 PM |
That's what we are in the process of doing now, removing each part and cleaning it, connections, mechanical, ect. Got lots of bolts soaking!
You meet the nicest people on a Honda
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mstspot |
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Posts: 1672 05/31/09 10:38 PM |
SHEEESH. It's like this bike was frozen in time, not a good thing for sure. Every part on it has been locked up. Spent over two hours last weekend getting
the carbs apart so that I could start them soaking. That gas had turned completely into varnish, just trying to get the float pins out was an exercise in
tedious, couple of drops of carb cleaner, wiggle, drop, wiggle. Jets are just solid goo. The vacuum pistons (needles) have a rubber diaphragm on the top that
seals them, one has a small tear in it, I know it's gonna be impossible to locate a replacement but I do have a line on one I'm gonna go check out this
week. It's about 3/16 of an inch long close to the edge, may have to find some kind of cement and patch for it, haven't found any suitable cement yet
to bond rubber and still hold up to fuel. I think I can use a piece of condom for the small patch or maybe a piece of nytral gloves. Even after soaking the
main rear brake bolt for two weeks I still couldn't get it loose so had to use a large punch and 3lb hammer to drive it out, works great now. The brake and
clutch master cylinders pistons were almost welded into place, finally had to drive them out too after getting them working back and forth for a long time. A
12ga. brass shotgun brush on a drill polished them up good as new, don't see any problems with the new kits sealing them. It was kind of a blessing that
they did freeze in place cause it kept the water out so I didn't see any pitting inside. Just trying to find kits at a decent price now. The clutch slave
cylinder was a real project cause there was no way to drive it out except with air, finally got it to pop out, scared the hell out of me cause it did pop! Got
really lucky on that this morning when I found a kit on e-gay for 15.00 to the door. I've spent at least 4 hours every night looking for parts, checking
interchange numbers, looking at parts fiches, comparing prices, ya know that shit we do all the time. Got fork seals on the way, wipers are gonna have to wait,
just too pricey (not that much really but these parts are adding up fast!) We are about half way on getting all the connections cleaned, tightened and greased
up. Found a new oil filter, fuel filter and air filter at O'Reillys (Wix) Wanted all new fuel lines but I only had a choice of that big black shit or the
tinted clear, the clear was 2.69 @ foot and I needed about 7' of it, I know, this thing has a mile of fuel line on it, from the tank, to the aux. tank, to
the cut-off, to the fuel filter, to the fuel pump then finally to the carbs. I bought a foot of it so I could make all the connections at the fuel pump, filter
and cutoff. I got lucky (I hope) the fuel pump still had gas in it so I just shot it with some carb cleaner then blew it out (lightly) and set it to drain
completely. Of course all the clamps that they had (both parts stores) were just the big worm gear type and I just don't have the room and they didn't
have any small enough to fit anyway, I had to grease the hell out of the tubes to get the lines on so I hope those zip ties hold! looks like the bike had been
laid down so the shifter bolt was bent, tried my damdest to get it straighted but no go so had to make my own, just locked it in place with some red lock tight
sure hope I don't need it back off for awhile. Got a wire through all the lines then flushed them out with denatured alcohol, gonna for sure have to keep
my eye open for replacements.
You meet the nicest people on a Honda
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mstspot |
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Posts: 1672 05/31/09 11:11 PM |
I've had the chain soaking in some ATF for two weeks, I have to replace it but I need it right now to get the motor broke free, with the carbs off and the
plugs pulled I've been soaking the valves and pistons every day. We were able to put it back on today, we couldn't get the motor to bust loose with
just turning the wheel so we tried pushing it, rocking it, still no go, finally I had my son sit on it while I got a run at it pushing it across the shop,
finally broke loose! Four trips back and forth spraying between each push and I think we are good to go in that area. I'll fill them with some kerosene and
shop vac them out before we put plugs in hoping that most of the cruddies will come out with it. I'll tackle the small parts on the carbs this week so that
maybe by the end of the week I'll be able to reassemble. The carb body is coming pretty clean and we already have the airbox scrubbed up and ready to go.
Since the cooling system was still full I'm hoping that I'll just be able to do a flush on it and refill it. Still have to get to a real town to get a
key for the tank and ignition. I've got the hand controls all freed up and working good. Still have to tear into that wiring mess that is always under the
headlight, pull the forks and work them over. I don't see any sense in trying to just spot check the electronics, I think it will be easier once every
thing is hooked back up and I know all the connections are clean and tight. May need to get a new fuse, I think the strip of beer can may be a little much. :)
got a few more photos that I'll have my son post in the next couple of days. Sorry I didn't photo every detail but I'm busy doing the work.
You meet the nicest people on a Honda
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swiffer.hondachopper |
#9 | |||
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Posts: 956 06/01/09 07:35 AM |
I can see you really are enjoying it.I bet if someone dared you to jump the Snake river you would find a way to do it
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Oldie.slickschoppers |
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Posts: 319 06/01/09 06:22 PM |
Hey Frank, Kinda nice doing this with and for your son. Maybe its work but it is worth it in the end.
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mstspot |
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Posts: 1672 06/02/09 12:55 AM |
Ya it's cool, but you can guess how these things go, he's a great idea man! Nice having an extra pair of hands though when ya really need em or when
something gets so frustrating that you need to tag off for a bit. Like most young men he's not good at tedious and right now that's what it is, hours
of picking, scraping, spraying, tapping, beating the shit out of, cleaning and polishing. I got a good spark out of him when the motor broke free, kinda like
hey dad may really get this thing running. I'll let you guess who's CLEAN hand is holding up the part I just got done polishing. Added a few more
picks. Nothing great just the front brake caliper finished, the clutch and brake master cylinders beat apart, cleaned, polished and waiting for rebuilt kits,
carbs soaking, the small circular pieces are from the clutch slave cylinder. It's been the worst part so far. 0000 steel wool wrapped around a dowel and
run on a drill polished the cylinder out great, the piston still has some pitting but the rubber gasket that fits on it is really heavy so I'm not
expecting any leaks from it. The one shot is of one carb bowl, all that brown shit is varnish that I've gotta get out and still save the gasket. Only place
that has replacements is OEM Honda! Ouch! Found a new needle, seat, filter screen and washer for 10.00 bucks each plus 7.50 shipping was so glad cause these
are toast, all the other pieces should clean up ok when I vat them. Got more of the electrical connections cleaned, tightened and greased. Looks like they had
pinched the loom to the tail light assembly with the seat and cut it right off (explains the beer can fuse) gotta pick up some more shrink tube and get that
all soldered back together. Tore into the headlight (has all the front connections in it) shit canned the turn signals, got the tach and speedo assembly loose
(checked the speedo and it works) if the tach works we will just go back with that, if not then I've got to figure out how to swap housings cause the lens
is broken on the speedo. Located some metric allens at the hardware store, that was nice, needed a couple and they have the small fuel line too at 1/2 the
price that the parts store wanted so I'll measure up what else I need and wrap that up. The fork brace has an ear missing and a crack in it so I've
gotta locate or fabricate one. Heard that a guy has a couple of real junky ones so maybe I'll get lucky on that.
You meet the nicest people on a Honda
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rustrocket84 |
#12 | |||
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Posts: 12 06/03/09 07:59 PM |
I know exactly how that feels from both ends now. I have a friend who just recently bought a motorcycle (not a DOHC Honda) and since I've been riding and
working on my own HD for about 12 years he's asked me for help, me doing everything other than fetching wrenches or beers. I know how your son feels
because when I was 16 I bought a 1946 willys and then a 77 Jeep Cherokee, that my dad and I redid. Mostly he redid, but I was there especially when progress
was really noticeable. Enjoy the time I will never forget it.
Also love the name of the new project. That is the name given to my current daily rider. A flat OD green HD bobbed touring bike.
80 750F and 82 750C. Yes I have a Harley too, and they will all be jockey shifted like my HD. America... Love it or get the F out
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mstspot |
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Posts: 1672 06/03/09 09:18 PM |
Ya it's all good. I'm sure that he is afraid that he'll screw something up and he really hasn't done much wrenching so it's cool for him to
watch and learn for the time when I can just sit and watch and fetch the beers and wrenches. It is nice having a different point of view as to what he wants in
his ride. I've enjoyed it
You meet the nicest people on a Honda
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swiffer.hondachopper |
#14 | |||
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Posts: 956 06/03/09 11:36 PM |
You kinda lucky my kids wont let me no where near there stuff.They know that when i get my hands on it, it is a goner,I get it honestly though.I used to get
calls from mom saying dad has the tree clippers ,get over here right away while we still have some trees left.
It is nice having that second pair of hands and thoughts.The big reward will be
when you see him coming back from his first ride on it.
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mstspot |
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Posts: 1672 06/04/09 08:59 AM |
Added more pics in my profile under the Green Hornet if anyone is bored. We bobbed off the frame in back, cut at least 6" off, up front on the dash
everything is gone except for the tach, I've still got to add an idiot oil light or oil pressure gauge down on the motor. We were able to keep the lock
mounting bracket for the seat to use as the support for the rear fender cowl that we cut down and moved forward, laid the full seat pan on the bike and cut it
off so that it would cover the gap between the rear cowl and the now solo seat. The one side view shows the mile of fuel line that I replaced. Before we
fastened everything down we made sure it was all gonna work. Worked out great we were able to keep the original tucked up under tail light, original fender
liner and all the electronics connections in their original locations on the fender liner. You can see from me sitting on it that she's getting small, very
comfortable though. He's thinking drag bars now. Got my fork seals and clutch slave cylinder kits in the mail yesterday so I'm gonna try and work on
those today or tonight, get those two projects out of the way. Still waiting on my carb parts. Located the clutch master cylinder kit last night so I've
got it on order now. Got all the electronics under the seat, cleaned and re-installed so I'm ready for the battery in that location, new fuel lines are
ready to connect. Gonna flush the cylinders and install the plugs, change the oil and filter. Radiator cap has a hole rusted through it but I've located
what I hope is a good Stat replacement number, gotta try some more parts stores to locate. Called a locksmith in Tulsa who said he could make me a key from the
code and just ship it to me so I got that info and money sent off (cheaper than the drive 150 miles round trip) Slowly but surely it is coming back together.
Bobbing the rear took alot of time but we are both pleased with the look and fit. A little more shaping on the seat pan and rear cowl and I think it will look
factory bobbed.
You meet the nicest people on a Honda
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swiffer.hondachopper |
#16 | |||
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Posts: 956 06/04/09 02:50 PM |
Alright ,The son is bringing old Dad over to the cool side.
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mstspot |
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Posts: 1672 06/05/09 09:12 AM |
Got the clutch slave cylinder back together and re-installed. Got the new fork seals in. Of course the allen bolt at the bottom of one stripped out but finally
got it out by drilling and an e-z out. Took a heap of sanding to get most of the rust off the top part of the tubes, the travel area was in good shape from the
coating of oil that had been left on them and the lowers cleaned up nicely. Cleaned and re-lubed the front axial and re-installed the brake calipers that I had
already gotten cleaned up. I'll pick up some fork oil get them refilled today and the front end is done! If you have never changed your fork oil I would
recommend doing it at the very least even if your seals are good, that old oil is some of the nastiest chit that you can imagine. Sludge, dirt, water, that
stuff can't be good on all those seals. Front end should be nice and lively now.
You meet the nicest people on a Honda
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Oldie.slickschoppers |
#18 | |||
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Posts: 319 06/05/09 05:43 PM |
Hi Frank, Keep up the good work,before you know it your son will have you building a chopper.
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mstspot |
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Posts: 1672 06/06/09 10:11 AM |
I swear I must have a knack for finding damn bikes that are impossible to locate parts for. I guess it would help if I would get one that was made for more
than just a couple of years. Found the radiator cap, haven't tried it yet but it looks right. The carb body has cleaned up pretty good, got a little
corrosion around the boot areas that I've gotta pick and brush off but the internals look clean. Started on the jets, needles. Soaked them for two hours
yesterday and nothing budged on them so I left the worst one to soak over night, hope my safety clean didn't eat them completely away. I've run across
the damdist thing, I can't find an air filter! I've found K & N's, 40.00 or UNI, 28.00 or OEM for 27.00 but no aftermarket. Not sure that I
want to use the uni or k & n till after I get it running and have a base line to work from for the carb settings. Not knowing much about these carbs yet I
was hoping to just start at square one then add knowledge as I went. The front carbs operate as side drafts and the rear as down drafts (I may have that
backwards) so there may not be a one size fix all thing like on my 750. Even the choke operates on a different principal, when you apply the choke it
doesn't close a butterfly it opens another circuit to add fuel. The air filter is a cylinder that draws air in from each end to the inside of the filter
then into the air box. Just what I need more reading and studying.
You meet the nicest people on a Honda
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freebyrd78 |
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Posts: 489 06/06/09 07:15 PM |
Frank,
You're better off going with the OEM filter if you're planning on using the stock air box. If it's anything like the Shadows, guys who've tried the K&Ns have had nothing but headaches trying to get them right. Most of them ended up going back to teh OEM filter. freebyrd |
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